LIONSTAGE HISTORY

LIONSTAGE is an independent music agency and production house based in Wrocław, operating continuously since the mid-1990s. We started in times when concert promotion meant photocopied posters and handwritten guest lists, and the alternative scene was just looking for its place in Wrocław clubs like Amsterdam, Podium, Samo Życie, Rockers, or Pałacyk. Today, we work simultaneously on major festivals, concert tours, arena productions, and intimate corporate events across Poland and Europe. They all share one thing in common—music, which has been the core of our entire operation from the very beginning.

Our history began with Lion Stage Management, founded by Tomasz Lektarski in 1996. From day one, we focused on alternative music, electronic, jazz, and reggae, consistently developing the Wrocław scene. We organized concerts and event series that built the local musical identity, and over time, we began bringing artists from all over the world to Wrocław. It has been an evolution from small clubs to packed arenas and international tours—but with the exact same approach: hard work, good communication, and a commitment to the ethics of the music industry.

In 2003, together with Paweł Piotrowicz, we co-created Scena Sajkofag—a project that recalled and celebrated Wrocław's alternative music of the 1980s. The stage hosted artists such as Lech Janerka, Martyna Jakubowicz, Robert Brylewski, and Voo Voo, while we learned how to work with figures who are the living history of Polish music. Concurrently, until 2009, we ran the Reggae Picnics in Chocianów—outdoor events that for years were a key spot on the map for fans of reggae culture and sound systems.

In 2004, the first edition of the One Love Sound Fest took place in the now-defunct WZ club at Wolności Square. This event quickly outgrew its club boundaries—moving to larger spaces and ultimately to the Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia) made One Love the largest indoor reggae festival in Europe. The stage featured stars of global reggae, dancehall, and roots-oriented music, and for one night a year, Wrocław transformed into a massive, positive sound system arena.

Since 2008, we have also co-organized the Ethno Jazz Festival, one of the most distinctive jazz and world music festivals in Poland. At our invitation, Wrocław has hosted performances by Al Di Meola, Bobby McFerrin, Jan Garbarek Group featuring Trilok Gurtu, Lizz Wright, Nigel Kennedy, Asaf Avidan, Basia Trzetrzelewska, Yasmin Levy, Shabaka and the Ancestors, Nouvelle Vague, The Bulgarian Voices Angelite, and The Music of Hans Zimmer project performed by Ensemble La Chapelle Sauvage.

The Wrocław landscape is rounded out by projects we co-created, such as Wrocławski Sound (now WroSound) and numerous concert series across the city's spaces—from Stary Klasztor to large concert halls and arenas. Festivals are our laboratory where we test new programming, production, and promotional solutions, which we then apply to our collaborations with artists, brands, and institutions.

Over the years, we have had the opportunity to support many artists, both from Poland and abroad, on and off the stage. As part of our booking and production activities, we have collaborated on concerts and projects for performers such as Sinéad O’Connor, Erykah Badu, Manu Chao, and Damian Marley. On the Polish market, we have worked intensively with Jamal, Mesajah, the band Illusion, and a wide array of artists for whom we organized concert tours, standalone events, and special projects.

Under our management and impresario representation, LIONSTAGE works with artists such as Maria Sadowska, DAGADANA, Big Day, Dr Misio, Arek Jakubik, and NO LOGO, supporting them in tour planning, negotiations, concert production, and communication with organizers. Concurrently, we co-organize and produce concerts as part of the Ethno Jazz Festival and other series featuring personalities like Jan Garbarek, Trilok Gurtu, Lizz Wright, Basia Trzetrzelewska, Nigel Kennedy, Nneka, Tanita Tikaram, and Yasmin Levy.

For years, we have also been a partner for companies, institutions, and event organizers seeking a competent music operator. We collaborate with concert halls (including Centennial Hall and the Wrocław Congress Center), clubs, and cultural centers, as well as promoters and local organizers across Europe. For some clients, we develop full event concepts—from artist selection and production to communication and post-production—while for others, we are a trusted booking partner who smoothly and safely delivers artists to the stage.

One of the important moments in LIONSTAGE history was establishing cooperation with the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOŚP) Foundation. In 2014, by the decision of Jerzy Owsiak, we became responsible for the technical and logistical production of the Wrocław WOŚP finales—from the stage and sound system, through technical facilities, to the coordination of activities in the urban space. Over time, we transitioned to a full 360° model, seamlessly combining production, logistics, promotion, and cooperation with media and local government partners.

LIONSTAGE activities are currently based on three main pillars: booking international artists, managing Polish music bands, and producing concerts and comprehensively organizing events. We work with festival organizers, cultural centers, and institutions, as well as commercial brands that want to build their communication around music. We offer a full range of services—from programming consultations and artist contracting to technical production and on-site event coordination.
Our headquarters is located in the heart of Wrocław—this is where we plan festivals, concert tours, and upcoming projects.

From Wrocław, our productions set out to cities all over Poland, and thanks to a network of contacts developed since running our Edinburgh branch, among other things, we maintain close relationships with foreign agencies and promoters. We continue to operate as an independent concert and booking agency—agile like a small team, but with the experience of a large-scale operator.